Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

Fred Stella, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, WGVU-FM, Interfaith Dialogue Association, Grand Valley State University
  • 5.0 (3)
  • RELIGION
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

Rated as the #1 podcast on all matters interfaith by Feedspot (https://blog.feedspot.com/interfaith_podcasts/), this is a weekly program that airs on Michigan NPR affiliates WGVU and WGVK. These 2 stations cover the entire western portion of the state. The show is hosted by Fred Stella, President of Interfaith Dialogue Association, an affiliate of Kaufman Interfaith Institute, which operates out of Grand Valley State University, the license holder of both stations. Each week Fred invites clerics, authors, activists and the occasional mystic into conversation about the role of spirituality and religion in politics, world affairs, societies and individuals. The parameters are quite wide. Besides his passion for all things transcendent, Fred Stella has an extensive resume in the world of media. Since his graduation from college Fred has worked in multiple radio formats, including news/talk, where he developed his skills in the art of the interview. He also has extensive experience in TV, stage, web entertainment, audiobook narration and more. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

  1. DEC 19

    Honest to God Parts 1 & 2

    In his new book Honest to God, Rev. John Hamilton provides us with an intimate look at the spiritual journey of an individual who has experienced life from many corners. From the carefree life of a rock n' roll musician, to a "Madmen" style of life on Madison Avenue to being ordained in the United Church of Christ. In this episode he discusses not only his sacred search, but also the state of Christianity and institutional religion in general. It's a prophecy of both hope and a bit of trepidation, as religious leaders face a demand for significant change by many who have left the pews. Bio from publisher’s website: John Hamilton was born into a spirited Irish-American family of singers and storytellers. Breaking with his strict Catholic upbringing, he embarked on a career in music that immersed him in the colorful but dangerous world of drugs, alcohol, and rock clubs. A debilitating onset of panic disorder abruptly halted his musical pursuits, propelling him into the business world where he thrived as a creative director in advertising. Despite professional success, Hamilton’s persistent quest for the transcendent led him to seminary and, eventually, to two decades of parish work as a pastor. In “Honest To God,” he eloquently chronicles the collapse of the mainstream Christianity, his loss of connection to the transcendent and his walk into the wilderness to search for it again.

    57 min

  2. DEC 11

    Trad Catholics and Christian Nationalism

    Dr. Lauren Horn Griffin discusses White Christian Nationalism and so-called "Trad Catholic Men" With the current election in the rear-view mirror now, the pundits are now piecing together what worked for one candidate and didn't for the other. One element that played large in the campaign is the role of White Christian Nationalism. Here we interview Dr. Lauren Horn Griffin from Louisiana State University, who has been studying movements such as these for most of her academic career. Our conversation today focuses on both the role of so-called "Trad Catholic Men" play in our social/political landscape as well as how competing narratives can shape a nation. Dr. Griffin is the author of ‘Fabricating Founders in Early Modern England.’ Lauren earned her Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara (2016). At LSU, she researches and teaches about religion, technology, media, and politics.

    55 min

  3. OCT 27

    Boond: The Story of the Ultimate Journey Parts 1 & 2

    I liken this new book entitled "Boond" to the classic "Little Prince." That is, while it may have a certain childlike charm, it is not really a children's book. This is a tale of the Divine Quest. Boond is Sanskrit for "drop," as in a drop of water. And that is exactly what the star of our story is: an anthropomorphic drop of water. We rarely feature books of fiction on Common Threads, but we made an exception here due to the intelligence, wit and whimsy contained in this tale. It really could be called a modern day myth. Enjoy.

    57 min

  4. JUL 27

    Italian Folk Magic Parts 1 & 2

    Growing up in an Italian-American family, I was introduced to Malocchio (the Evil Eye) at a young age. I loved having this eccentric idea as part of my heritage. For centuries, some cultures have been able to accommodate both their Christian traditions along with various elements of folk magic, esoteric healing and what has come to be known as "witchcraft." Italy is no exception. Angela Puca is about the most perfect person to discuss these issues with. She was raised in Naples and has advanced degrees in Religious Studies. In her research she was able to gain the confidence of many folk magic practitioners who are no longer living in seclusion in tiny rural Italian villages.

    57 min

  5. JUL 10

    The Rise & Fall of the 2nd American Republic Parts 1 & 2

    A groundbreaking, expansive new account of Reconstruction that fundamentally alters our view of this formative period in American history. We are told that the present moment bears a strong resemblance to Reconstruction, when freedpeople and the federal government attempted to create an interracial democracy in the south after the Civil War. That effort was overthrown and serves as a warning today about violent backlash to the mere idea of black equality and the weaponization of religion. In The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic , acclaimed historian Manisha Sinha expands our view beyond the usual temporal and spatial bounds of Reconstruction (1865–1877) to explain how the Civil War, the overthrow of Reconstruction, the conquest of the west, labor conflict in the north, Chinese exclusion, women’s suffrage, and the establishment of an overseas American empire were part of the same struggle between the forces of democracy and those of reaction. Highlighting the critical role of black people in redefining American citizenship and governance, Sinha’s book shows that Reconstruction laid the foundation of our democracy.

    57 min

  6. JUN 27

    Devout: A Memoir of Doubt Parts 1 & 2

    It is hard to imagine anyone living in the USA today who does not either have someone close to them dealing with severe mental health challenges or suffering themselves from the same. An educated guess is that not only are we experiencing a rise in such maladies, but thankfully, the stigma of admitting to having them is much less than in the past. This encourages an openness we not seen in the past. And one thing that comes to us from mental health professionals loud and clear is that religion/spirituality can either help or hurt, depending on how it is expressed in one's development. On these episodes we speak to Anna Gazmarian, the author of Devout:A Memoir of Doubt. She grew up in an Evangelical community that encouraged "happy thoughts" and prayer to chase away the clouds of gloom. This approach is as beneficial as "pray the gay away" is to those in the LGBT community. It's not hard to hear the pain in Anna's voice in our conversation. Life has been rough, and the scars are still there. What you will hear is deeply personal and somewhat frustrating when we think of all the others like Anna who may be in similar situations and keep thinking that they just aren't good enough or don't love Jesus enough to be made whole.

    55 min

  7. JUN 20

    Constitutional Bind Parts 1 & 2

    Not long ago Convicted Felon D. Trump began shamelessly hawking "Greenwood" Bibles that include not only all 66 Protestant canonical books but The Constitution and Bill of Rights as well. A serious problem we have in the USA is that a number of American citizens believe that our founding documents are quasi-scriptural. In their minds, the Founding Fathers were tapping into The Mind of God when composing such. Now, it's hard to deny that these writings offer some literally world changing ideas that have allowed us as a country to evolve in ways that other nations were not able to do. But they are far from infallible. And of course, any documents are only as good as the people who interpret them. In these episodes our guest Aziz Rana shares his concerns as to how The Constitution has failed us in many ways, and how this Supreme Court is poised to do serious damage to the American people. Not for the faint of heart, but a great conversation. Listen. Learn. Repeat.

    57 min

  8. MAY 30

    Mountain at a Center of the World Parts 1 & 2

    Places of pilgrimage tend to be held as sacred spaces by particular religions. But it's not universally true. Sometimes there are holy sites that are venerated by 2 or more faiths. Adam's Peak in Sri Lanka is one of them. It is climbed constantly by Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and secularists. I suspect it would be climbed by Jews if there were any in the country. Each religion has its own myth and history surrounding the mountain. And surprise, surprise...Adam's Peak is not without religious conflict and controversy. But that's what makes for a good story, yes? Thankfully, Alexander McKinley has written one. In these episodes we discuss the blessings and challenges of the multi-faith engagement that is a part of this tradition. His book is Mountain at a Center of the World. Listen. Then read.

    56 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Rated as the #1 podcast on all matters interfaith by Feedspot (https://blog.feedspot.com/interfaith_podcasts/), this is a weekly program that airs on Michigan NPR affiliates WGVU and WGVK. These 2 stations cover the entire western portion of the state. The show is hosted by Fred Stella, President of Interfaith Dialogue Association, an affiliate of Kaufman Interfaith Institute, which operates out of Grand Valley State University, the license holder of both stations. Each week Fred invites clerics, authors, activists and the occasional mystic into conversation about the role of spirituality and religion in politics, world affairs, societies and individuals. The parameters are quite wide. Besides his passion for all things transcendent, Fred Stella has an extensive resume in the world of media. Since his graduation from college Fred has worked in multiple radio formats, including news/talk, where he developed his skills in the art of the interview. He also has extensive experience in TV, stage, web entertainment, audiobook narration and more. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Information

  • Creator
    Fred Stella, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, WGVU-FM, Interfaith Dialogue Association, Grand Valley State University
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    320
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020-Interfaith Dialogue Association
  • Show Website
    Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

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